Folding desk, chair, and the like



Aug. 15, 1933. A. A. GOODRICH FOLDING DESK, CHAIR, AND THE LIKE Filed Sept. 10, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet /m ad Aug. 15, 1933. A GOQDRlCH 1,922,582

FOLDING DESK', CHAIR, AND THE LIKE Filed Sept. 10, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Aug. 15, 3 I 7 UNITED STATES FOLDING DESK, CHAIR, AND THE LIKE Anne Austelle Goodrich, Augusta, Ga.

Application September 10, 1930 Serial No. 481,050

3 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in furniture, and particularly foldable and movable furniture.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved structure, applicable to school desks and seats, theater chairs, and the like, by means of which such furniture may be quickly and easily moved out of theway, to provide floor space for dancing, marching, or the like.

Another object is to provide a structure of this character wherein the articles of furniture may be quickly folded, collapsed against each other, and each tier or row swung upwardly, out of the way.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a side elevation of a row of school desks, made and mounted in accordance with the present invention, and in normal position for use, partly broken away.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the row of desks swung out of the way.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary side elevation of a modified form of supporting rail or track, showing the lower portions of several desks carried n thereby.

Figure 4 is a side elevation of the parts shown in Figure 3, but viewed from the opposite side thereof.

Figure 5 is a vertical transverse sectional View on the line 5-5 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a portion of the modification of Figure 3.

Figure '7 is a perspective view of a portion of one of the side rails 10.

Referring particularly to the accompanying drawings, and especially to Figures 1, 2, and 5, 10 represent a pair of rails arranged in horizontal parallel position, a short distance above the floor 11, each of said rails having its longer marginal I edges bent inwardly, as at 12, to form, in combination with adjacent portions of the bodies of the rails, grooves or tracks, in which are received the rollers 13, carried by the lower portions of the sides 14 of the frames of the desks 15. Each of the desks comprises the back-rest 16, in the rear of which is formed the compartment 17, for holding books, papers, and the like, of the scholar, while a foldable cover 18, is mounted on said back to close the compartment, at times, and to lie in a hori- Zonal position, at times, to provide a writing table for the scholar. It will be noted that the last desk of the row is fixed to both of the rails 10, while the remaining desks are adapted to slide forwardly and rearwardly, longitudinally of said rails. In the upper portion of each of the rails are formed the series of regularly spaced openings 19, which are adapted to receive the free ends of the pawls 20, carried by the desk frames, whereby the desks may be properly and regularly spaced, and held in such position, when withdrawn outwardly, for use. The rear ends of the rails 10 are properly pivoted to brackets 21 mounted on the floor, so that when the latches are released from the openings'lQ, and the desks pushed rearwardly, along the rails, the entire unit, including the rails, and desks, may be swung upwardly in a vertical position. It will also'be noted that the sides of the frames of the desk units rest on the floor, when the rails are in lowered position, and that the rollers 13, of said frames, are mounted at the proper distance above the lower ends of said frames, whereby to properly support the rails above the floor. Suitable means, such as the hooks 22, carried by the rear wall 23, of a room, are provided for engagement with the free ends of the rails, to hold the unit in such position.

Referring to Figures 3, 4, and 6, there is shown a modified form of the track, which consists of the rails 24, each of which is made up of a series of sections 25, and each of said sections is marginally flanged, in a manner like the rails 10, and telescoped into each other. It will be noted, however, that each of the sections 25 is tapered longitudinally, so that when said sections are pulled out, the larger end of each will be held against further movement by wedging action within the smaller end of the next adjacent section. To each of the corresponding sections 25, of a rail 24, is secured a side frame 26, forming a part of a desk, so that when such sections are pushed in or pulled out, the desks will move therewith. In this form, the means for securing the desk frames to the rail sections are spaced above the lower or floor engaging portions of said frames, to the proper distance to hold the rails above the floor. The rearend of each of the rearmost sections 25 is mounted on a floor carried bracket so that the entire unit may be swung upwardly, and held in place by the same means described in connection with the first form.

'While I have shown and described the invention as applicable to desks, for schools, I wish it understood that the invention is as readily applicable to the seats of auditoriums, theaters, churches, or the like.

3 What is claimed is: 1

1. A collapsible and foldable furniture unit" comprising vertically swingable rails each including a. plurality of telescopic sections, and a plural- 5 ity of furniture elements arranged in tandem longitudinally of said rails and each mounted on a section for sliding movement therewith and swinging movement with the rails.

2. A collapsible and foldable furniture unit comprising parallel rails pivotally connected at one end to a support for swinging movement in a vertical plane, a plurality of furniture elements I slidably mounted on the rails for movement tocomprising parallel rails pivotally connected at one end to a support for swinging movement in a vertical plane, a plurality of furniture elements mounted in tandem on said rails for 'movement toward and away from each other and toward and away from the ends of the rails, and means on a support forireleasably holding said rails in vertical position, at times.

ANNE A. GOODRICH. 

